US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

§31.2.  Interagency Task Force on Health Literacy

A.  Legislative intent

The legislature recognizes that the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport has conducted seminal research in health literacy and is nationally known for its work.  This effort has been led by the Department of Medicine and Pediatrics with participation of faculty and staff from other departments.  The legislature wishes to create a statewide task force to address health literacy in Louisiana in order to address health care access, reduce unnecessary health spending, and improve health outcomes.

B.  As used in this Section:

(1)  "Chancellor" means the chancellor of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport.

(2)  "Health literacy" means an individual's ability to read, understand, and act appropriately on health care information.

(3)  "Task force" means the Interagency Task Force on Health Literacy.

C.  Not later than December 1, 2003, the chancellor shall establish the task force to assist the health and  human service agencies of this state in studying health literacy and developing recommendations for improving health literacy in this state.

D.(1)  The chancellor  shall appoint a member of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport faculty to chair the task force.

(2)  The following representatives shall be invited to serve on the task force:

(a)  Three representatives from state hospitals to be selected by  the vice chancellor of the Health Care Services Division, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans.

(b)  A representative from the office of public health, maternal and child health program.

(c)  A representative from the Louisiana Primary Care Association.

(d)  A representative from the Louisiana Public Health Institute.

(e)  A representative from the Louisiana State Medical Society.

(f)  A representative from the Louisiana Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics.

(g)  A representative from the Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs.

(h)  A representative from the eligibility section of the Medicaid Program.

(i)  A representative from the School of Pharmacy at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

(j)  A representative from the area health education centers.

(k)  A representative from the Southeastern Louisiana University Nursing School.

(l)  A representative from the Developmental Disabilities Council.

(m)  A representative from the Louisiana State University Cooperative Extension.

(n)  A representative from the Southern University Cooperative Extension.

(o)  A representative of the health insurance industry.

(p)  A representative from the Louisiana Chapter of the National Medical Association.

(q)  A representative from the Louisiana Minority Health Commission.

(r)  A representative from Xavier School of Pharmacy.

(3)  The task force shall meet at the call of the presiding officer.

(4)  No member of the task force shall receive compensation for serving on the task force.

(5)  The task force may consult with and invite participation from other groups, organizations, and agencies as may be needed.

E.  The Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center- Shreveport shall provide the staff necessary to assist the task force in performing its duties.

F.  The task force shall study and evaluate the health literacy of the residents of this state.  The task force shall:

(1)  Examine the ability of residents to access available health services and communicate with health care providers.

(2)  Identify barriers that prevent residents with low health literacy from receiving health care.

(3)  Identify groups at risk for low health literacy.

(4)  Examine whether providing appropriate health information to and increasing the health literacy of the beneficiaries of public health services would increase the efficiency of health care providers and decrease expenditures.

(5)  Examine the impact on health literacy of:

(a)  Rising health care costs.

(b)  Increasingly complex health treatments.

(c)  An individual's age.

(d)  Cultural and linguistic diversity.

G.  Not later than December 15, 2005, the task force shall report to the legislature on its findings under Subsection F and make recommendations to the legislature on strategies for:

(1)  Improving the health literacy of the residents of this state.

(2)  Promoting the use of plain language by health care providers.

(3)  Simplifying the enrollment forms and procedures for accessing health insurance plans serving individuals in groups identified as at risk for low health literacy.

(4)  Developing resources for health care providers and residents of this state to increase health literacy.

(5)  Developing programs to aid the residents of this state in understanding health care information.

(6)  Developing educational curricula to increase health literacy.

(7)  Developing easy-to-understand print and electronic information on health issues.

(8)  Funding the recommendations of the task force.

H.  The task force shall terminate on September 1, 2006.

Acts 2003, No. 1226, §1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.